Unit 1 - Persuasive Project

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Transcript of Unit 1 - Persuasive Project

Coach W. Harris - American Literature PersuasiveSpeeches Born in 1736, Henry is often referred to as the most powerful speaker of the Revolutionary Period. He is best known for his cry, "Give me liberty or give me death," which is the last phrase of this particular speech given at the Virginia Provincial Convention in 1775. In the speech, Henry argues for armed resistance to England. Patrick Henry"Speech in the Virginia Convention" Persuasive Techniques: Rhetorical Questions To convince the others at the convention that compromise with Great Britain was hopeless and that armed resistance against Great Britain was the only answer. Persuasive Purpose Born in 1706, Benjamin Franklin was a major leader in the movement for independence. Franklin's abilities as a diplomat and a statesman proved invaluable as plans for the new emerging government after the American Revolution created much conflict and dissension. His speech at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia was one way in which his abilities helped to resolve conflict and ensure ratification of the Constitution. Benjamin Franklin"Speech in the Convention" Persuasive Techniques:Rhetorical Questions "There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight!" http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm Henry uses these questions strategically to suggest that Great Britain is anticipating conflict as evidenced by the increase in British military forces in and around the colonies. "I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?" http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm Persuasive Techniques: Appeal to Emotion By suggesting that God is on the side of the colonists, Henry appeals to the religious faith and overall emotion of his audience through such words as "vigilant," "strong" and "active." "There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave." http://www.history.org/almanack/life/politics/giveme.cfm Sample Project for UNIT 1 To convince the others at the convention to show collective, unanimous support of the newly framed Constitution despite the fact that each individual may not entirely approve of certain measures within the document. Persuasive Purpose "On the whole, Sir, I can not help expressing a wish that every member of the Convention who may still have objections to it, would with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility, and to make manifest our unanimity, put his name to this instrument." http://www.usconstitution.net/franklin.html Franklin uses this question in order to point out that it would be impossible to create a "perfect" document, as each individual--based on personal prejudices, opinions and passions--will eventually find some fault in any document created. "For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected?" http://www.usconstitution.net/franklin.html Franklin uses his many years of experience and influence to urge his colleagues to accept the U.S. Constitution. "For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise. It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others." http://www.usconstitution.net/franklin.html Persuasive Techniques:Appeal by Authority